Front-wheel brake



June 1l, 1929. C, L, wr-TE 1,717,176

FRONT WHEEL yBRAKE; Filed Oct. 25, H1924 Patented June 11, 1929.

UNI-,TED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OLYDE L. WHITE, OF TOLEDO, OHIO, Assrenon To Tnn wILLYs-ovnnnenn oo', or TOLEDO, OHIO, A CORPORATION or OHIO.

FRONT-V/'HEEL BRAKE.

AApplication filed ctobel 23, 1924. Serial No. 745,720.

My invention relates to improvements in front wheel brakes for automobiles, of the type in which the spreading of internal brake shoes is accomplished by pull rods acting in a direction approximating a line normal to the plane of the shoes.

The steering knuckle or front wheel pivot is usually set at an angle to the plane of the brake shoes. As a consequence, when the wheels are turned for steering purposes, the vertical angle between the plane of the brake shoes and the pull rod, as well as the horizontal angle, is changed. rlhis tends to produce a binding'action between the shoes and pull rod, unfavorably affecting both steering and braking, and in some cases, weakening, bendin g or even breaking some of the parts.

Une of the objects of the invention is to overcome the difficulty just mentioned, by the provision of a universal connection between the pull rod proper and the end portion or head thereof which acts upon the cam end of the shoes.

Another' object 1s the provision of a unlversal joint for this purpose, which shall bc.

simple and economical to manufacture, and not likely to rattle, which shall permit of swiveling action in addition to universal action, and which shall'be capable of transmitting force in either direction longitudinally of the pull rod. Y

@ther objects, and Objects relating to details of construction and economies of manufacture, will appear as I proceed with the description of that embodiment of the invention, which, for the purposes ofthe present application, I have illustrated in the accompanying drawing, injwhich: j

Figure I is a view partly in vertical, transverse section, of a front wheel brake.

Fig. II is a fragmentary, sectional view, taken on line II-II of Fig. I.

Fig. III is aA sectional View taken on line IIIIII of Fig. I, and showing the Operating cams and rollers in elevation, and Q Fig. IV is a top plan view of the brake adjusting means.

, Similar reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views.

In the embodiment which I have illustratcd,a conventional brakeudrum 10 is secured to the wheel ll in any suitable manner, such as by means of bolts 12. The wheel in turn ing knuckle has on each side, a projecting flange l5 upon which a dust guard and supporting plate 16 for the brake shoes I7 is seare freely rotatable upon a pin 25 carried in a yoke 2G. They vare alsovfreely rotatable with respect to cach other. Each of the cams 'i9 and 20 has top and bottom marginal flanges 27 which engage the outer sides Vof the rollers 23 thus supporting the yoke 2G and its parts and holding it in proper operative position.

28 is a pull rod extending in a direction generally parallel to the major portion of the front axle, a fragment of which is shown in the drawing at 29. In accordance with my invention, this rod is to be attached to they yoke 26 by a universal joint. The preferred form of such joint is illustrated in Fig. I, being what is usually known as a ball and socket joint. The socket portion 30 is 'preferably integral with the yoke 26 and is formed.' inside with a bearing' surface of substantially spherical contour to receive the ball end 3l of the pull rod 28. Dust and dirt are eX- cluded and theparts of the oint held in position by a threaded plug 32 provided with a central projection 33 having a spherical end which seats against a similarly formed socket in the end of the pull rod. The end of the projection 33 and its seat have a common centerwhich coincides with the center of the .1 spherical surface of the socket 30 and permits a rotary, as well as a bending or turning movement about said center, but at the same Y time, prevents longitudinal displacement; .of

the yoke or pull rod. Surrounding the projcctio'n 33 of the plug 32 and resting against said plug at one end and against the pull rod at the other, is a spring 34 which is provided `for the purpose of taking up wear and preventing any rattle in the joint.

At the upper portion of Fig. I, there is illustrated a pin or shaft 35 provided with right and left hand screw-threads 36 and 37, upon which are mounted nuts 38 and 39,

which have engagement i'vith'the upper ends ot the brake shoes. The outer end ot' the sha'lt 35 sqm ed, as shown inoi'der to make it convenient to grasp the same by a tool. A leaf spring d() is mounted upon the shaft 35, being provided with a squared opening to lit the squared portion oit the shaft, and being held inwardly in a condition ot tension by a cotter pin 41. Therounded ends of the spring Ll-O, take into holes lf2 arranged in a circle in the plate 1G, thus holding the shaft 35 in any desired vposition of adjustment. ByV the means just desciibed, the upper ends of the brake shoes may be moved toward orv away li'oui each other whenever adjustment is necessary, as for instance, to take up Weary on the brake lining.

1V hilo 1 have shown and described in consideraliiledetail, a specific embodiment ot my invention, it is to be understood that this showing and description areillustrative only and for the purpose ot rendering the invention clear, and` that Ido not regard the invention as limited to the details ot construction illustrated and described, except in so.

with the shoe, apull rod, a head for said rod,

provided with means t'or engaging said cam, said head :being supported and guided to move in one direction only, and a universal joint connecting said 4head and rod, said universal ljoint comprising a pair of parts arranged to transmit 'longitudinal movement- `of said rodto said head and adapted to permit relative angularand rotative movement between said rod and said head.

2. In coii'ibination, a iront axle, a steering knuckie mounted thereon, a brake shoe, the plane ot which is set at aiirangle to the aXis ot said knuckle,a pull rod, a head thereon,`

cainming means between the head and shoe adapted to move said shoe when the rod 1s shifted loi'igitudinally, said headvbeing supported andvguidedto move in one direction only, and a universal joint connecting said head and rod, said universal joint comprising a pairoit parts arranged to transmit 'longitiidinal movement oi said rod to saidV head and adapted to permit relative angular and rotative movement between said rod and said head. Y

3. ln combination, a front axle, a steering knuckle mounted thereon, a brake shoe, the

plane of which is set at an angle to the axisV V `of said knuckle, a pull rod, ahead thereon,

eamniing means between `the head and shoe adapted to move said shoe when the rod is shifted longitudinally, said head being sup- .knuckle mounted thereon, a brake shoe, the

plane of which is set an angle to the anis of said' knuckle, a pull rod, a head thereon, camiiiing means between the head and shoe yadapted to move said shoe when the rod is shitled longitudinally, said head being supported and guided to move inone direction only, and aball and socket joint connecting said head. and rod, said joint being adapted to transmit Atorce `in either direction longitudinally ot said rod.

5; 1n combination, a iii'ont axle, a steering vknuckle mounted thereon, a brake shoe, the

plane ot which is set at an angle to the axis el said knuckle, a pull iod, a head thereon,

canin'iing .means between the head and shoe adapted to move said shoe when the rod is shifted longitudinally, said head being supported and guidedto inove'in one direction only, and a balland socket joint connecting Vsaid head and rod, said joint being adapted to transmit force in either direction longitudinally of'said rod and to permit relative rotation between said head and rod.

6. In a braking mechanism for a front wheel of a vehicle, the combination of a brake-shoe, actuating means therefor, an Voperating rod connected to said actuated means and movable in adireetion substantially parallel to the normal axis of the wheel, and a universal joint between said rod and `said acti'latinginieansythe parts ot which are capable ol transmitting longitudinal movement-*but permit angular and'rotative movenient.

7..1`he conibinationwith a longitudinally movable operating rod for a 'front wheel brake, of a universal oint comprising a ball and socket adaptedito Vtransmitlongitudinal movement olsaid'rod andto permit relative angular and rotative movement of the ball and socket-.

8. The combination with a longitudinally movable operating rod 'for a front wheel brake, of auniver'sal joint comprising a pair ot mating parts havingfrelative angular and rotative freedom and means ior preventing relative longitudinal movement oi' said parts.

9.,.The eonibination `with a longitudinally `movable voperating rod for a front wheel brake, of a ball and socket joint having integralmeans to prevent longitudinal movement of the ball relativeto the socket.

AIn testimony whereof, latin( my signa-ture.

CLYDE L. NVHTE. 

